NEW YORK COLLEGIATE LEAGUE
TOP 25 PROSPECTS, 2008

Compiled by Allan Simpson
In Association with League Managers and Scouts

Official League Website: www.nycbl.com

In the nation’s summer college league hierarchy, the New York Collegiate League is considered a steppingstone league—one that typically attracts more than its share of promising college freshmen, only to lose the more attractive ones to higher-profile leagues the following summer.

True to its tradition, the NYCBL’s list of top prospects this summer was littered with players who had just finished their freshmen year of college. Of the top 25 overall, 14 were freshmen, including the top two—Amsterdam lefthander Logan Darnell (Kentucky), who projects as an early-round pick in the 2010 draft, and Glens Falls lefthander Shane Davis (Canisius), whose 12 wins in 2008 were more than any Division I freshman.

Another freshman, Amsterdam’s Mike Onarati (Manhattan), was selected the league’s MVP after leading the 14-team circuit with 32 RBIs, finishing second with seven home runs and stealing 20 bases in 20 attempts. But the managers and scouts who assisted in assembling the list of the league’s top prospects weren’t sold on the 5-foot-10 outfielder’s overall tools (aside from his bat) or long-range value.

The Hornell Dodgers (32-10) and Glens Falls Golden Eagles (31-10), meanwhile, dominated regular-season play in the NYCBL, winning their respective divisions by wide margins. But the upstart Brockport River Bats, the No. 2 seed in the Western Division, dispatched both clubs in winning their first title in five years in the league. The River Bats beat Hornell 2-0 in the semi-finals, then edged Glens Falls 2-1 in a best-of-3 final, winning the third and deciding game in extra innings.

FAST FACTS
Year League Established: 1978.
States Represented in League: New York.
Level of Competition (1-to-4 Scale): 3.
No. of Teams in League: 14.
Regular-Season Champion: Hornell Dodgers.
Post-Season Champion: Brockport River Bats.
Teams, PG Crosschecker Summer 16/Final Ranking: No. 29 Brockport River Bats.
No. 1 Prospect, 2007 (per PG Crosschecker): Eric Beaulac, rhp, Amsterdam Mohawks (LeMoyne; Mets ’08, ninth round).
First 2007 Player Selected, 2008 Draft: Eric Beaulac, rhp, Amsterdam Mohawks (LeMoyne; Mets, ninth round).

Most Valuable Player: Mike Onorati, of, Amsterdam Mohawks.
Most Outstanding Pitcher: Shane Davis, lhp, Glens Falls Golden Eagles.
Top Prospect (as selected by league): None selected.

BATTING LEADERS (League games only)
Batting Average: Matt Perry, 2b, Geneva Redwings (.427).
Slugging Percentage: J.D. Martinez, of, Saratoga Phillies (.691).
On Base Average: Thomas Tolliver, inf, Alleghany County Nitros (.464).
Home Runs: Mike Spina, 3b, Amsterdam Mohawks (8).
RBIs: Mike Onorati, of, Amsterdam Mohawks (32).
Stolen Bases: Mike Perkins, c, Elmira Pioneers (20).

PITCHING LEADERS (League games only) 
Wins: Three tied at 6.
ERA: Shane Davis, lhp, Glens Falls Golden Eagles (0.33).
Saves:Josh Goodin, rhp, Hornell Dodgers (11).
Strikeouts: Mike Fiers, rhp, Saratoga Phillies (76).
Opponent Batting Average: Shane Davis, lhp, Glens Falls Golden Eagles (.171).

BEST TOOLS
Best Hitter: J.D. Martinez, of, Saratoga Phillies
Best Power: J.D. Martinez, of, Saratoga Phillies
Fastest Base Runner: Jonathan White, of, Glens Falls Golden Eagles.
Best Defensive Player: T.J. Baumet, ss, Webster Yankees.
Best Velocity: Logan Darnell, lhp, Amsterdam Mohawks.
Best Breaking Ball: Shane Davis, lhp, Glens Falls Golden Eagles.

TOP 25 PROSPECTS

  PLAYER POS. TEAM B-T HT WT YR 2009 SCHOOL
1. Logan Darnell LHP Amsterdam Mohawks L-L 6-2 200 So. Kentucky
SCOUTING REPORT: Though he had little trouble pumping his fastball into the 92-93 mph range as a freshman at Kentucky, Darnell worked in only 18 innings, going 0-0, 4.08 in 15 relief appearances. The combination of a veteran Wildcats pitching staff and Darnell’s own inexperience limited his work load, but he positioned himself this summer to become a Southeastern Conference starter in 2009 by going 3-0, 1.82 with 33 strikeouts (and 19 walks) in 35 innings—mostly as a starter. His velocity was consistently between 91-93 mph, and peaked at 95 in the league’s all-star game. Darnell’s curve and changeup showed signs of being solid pitches at times, and he was dominant when all three pitches were working interchangably. But his secondary pitches need to be more consistent and should be in time as he polishes up his mechanics.


This is "Premium Level" content. You must be a subscriber to read the rest. Want to read more???

Click here for subscription info!